I ripped the fuel line on my winter car, an '85 saab 900. I was swapping the engine and forgot to unbolt the fuel line before I hoisted the engine. It is a one-peice plastic one from the fuel rail to gas tank. $120 at the dealer so I'm just fixing it with barbs.

I cut off the part of the line that got screwed up and Im trying to push the line onto this 1/4" barb but I have only gotten it over one of the sections of the barb. It took all my strength to push it that far, but I want to get it over the next three sections so it is most reliable.

Anyone have an idea on how to get barbs on easier? I was thinking I could put the barb in ice over night to shrink it (its brass) and I could use a heat gun on the fuel line but I dont want to weaken it because its plastic.

Here is a picture of the junction http://mason.gmu.edu/~rshaffer/barb.jpg

Thanks for any ideas.
Rob

 

Could be the line is 7/32nds or 3/16ths?

 

Oil the barb up pretty good and just twist it around. Hopefully it will go on.

 

If your having thta much of a problem you need bigger fuel line. The barb connectors are usually very east to put on but a pain to take off. I just used some of the barb connectors to relocate a oil filter & add a cooler. They work great.
Oh well, good luck and try some different hose, it might help.
SSC

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I will try the oil method. Also, I tried a 3/16" barb but it was too small, fuel spewed out when I started the car. If there was a 7/32" barb that would be perfect but they didnt have it at Home Depot or the Sears Craftsman tool shop near me, so I figured they didnt exist.

Rob

 

Its better to struggle and get too large of a barb to fit than have it easy, that way you know it won't fall off. One thing you could do is to clamp the hose over the smaller barb. I actually did something similar with mine and it has held for quite a while.